History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP, V.] INNOVATIONS. 229

protection, assistance, and goodwill of the Hindu princes, in whose country they took refuge. Time rolled on, and succeeding generations of Parsis fell into the error that these borrowed practices were sanctioned by their own religion. “Our forefathers did so,” they said, and, according to Asiatic ideas, they thought that their ancestors could do no wrong. The study of the few religious books which they had with them was not cultivated, for there were few learned men among the body. The result was that many of the usages, customs, practices, and prejudices of the Hindus were received and acted upon by the Parsis. It is thus that we may easily explain how it was that ignorant Parsis, or their wives, used even up to twenty-five years ago to send offerings of cocoa-nuts to the Holi, or cups of oil to the Hanuman.

The Parsi Panchayet, some fifty years ago, took steps with the view of eradicating such ceremonies and practices as had crept into their religion since their expatriation from Persia; but they did not succeed, to the extent of their wishes, with the majority of the people. Religious usages which the Parsis of India had observed for nearly twelve centuries could not easily be eradicated.

What the Panchayet failed to do by compulsory measures 1s now sought to be done by an appeal to the good sense of the people. An association composed of many influential and wealthy Parsis, and a number of